Alarm system



3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

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.dtorney ,.(No Model.) C. 8E J. F. COX.

ALARM SYSTEM.

PatentedApr.-

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3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

ALARM SYSTEM.

No. 400,750.v

Patented Apr. 2

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(No Model.) 3 sheets-sheen 3;

C.. A.& J. I'. COX.

a ALARM SYSTEM. No. 400.750. PatenlteApr. 2, 1889.

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IINTTED STATES CHARLES A. COX ANDl JOSEPH F.

PATENT OFFICE.

COX, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

ALARM SYSTEM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 400,750, dated April 2, 1889.

Application led November 5, 1888` Serial No. 290,059. (No model) T0 all whom t may concern:

Be it known that we, CHARLES A. COX and JOSEPH FRANKLIN COX, citizens of the United thereon, which form a part of this specifica# tion.

Our invention has reference to alarm devices for hotels and like service; and it consists in the improvements hereinafter described and set forth, whereby efficient and simple means are provided that can be quickly and conveniently adjusted to subsequently and automatically sound an alarm in one or more rooms, and thereby indicate the arrival of any predetermined period or periods of time.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure l represents in front elevation the main mechanism forming part of our improvements, the general arrangements of external circuits and alarms being also shown. Fig. 2 is a rear view in elevation looking at the front plate or face of the main mechanism, and showing the devices carried thereby and their relation to the eX- ternal circuits and room-alarms. Eig. 3 is a vertical sectional elevation of the front or face plate and devices carried thereby, and Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating the establishment of circuits suitable for alarming an entire section at any suitable time by the aid of an auxiliary circuit-closer.

The main feature forming part of our improvements is a mechanism designed to be located in the office of the hotel. As shown most clearly in the first three figures of the drawings, this mechanism comprises in partavertical case, A. This said case A is closed at its front by a door, B, hinged at .one side, as represented at b, and provided at its opposite side with a lock, b', or other securing means.

Upon the outer side of the door B is located a clock, C, which, for the sake of convenience,

is generally about midway between the sides of the door. The outer side of the doorB has lines forming a space, c, and ladjacent to the clock, and a series of small divisions, d, more remote. The portion of the door in the space c is provided with a series ofperforations, of the number corresponding to the quarterly divisions of every hour in twelve. Numerals on the face of the door and adjacent to each perforation indicate the particular period of time it represents. Each of the divisions d is provided with a number corresponding' with that of one of the rooms in the system, and the door portion within each division is provided with two perforations located diagonally with respect to each other. A tubular lining, c, Fig. 3, of metal, is located in each perforation of the space c and the division el, and the rear end of each lining is closed bya screw, c', threaded to engage interior threads in the lining, and having a washer, c2, to facilitate the attachment of circuit-wires thereto. The arbor or shaft C of the clock, with which the hour-hand revolves, is extended rearwardly, so as to pass through the body of the door B and project to a slight extent beyond the rear side of the same, at which point it carries a -spring metallic arm, f, uponl the other end of which rotates an anti-friction roller, f. On the rear face of the door B and concentric with the shaft C are secured a series of radial metallic contact-plates, g, with which the roller of the arm is adapted to successively and independently contact as the arbor C revolves. Each of these plates g corresponds with one of the time-divisions in the space c, and is therefor connected to the metallic lining of such division by a Wire, g. A spring, 7L, secured by a screw, h', on the door B within the circular series of plates g, has its free end bearing frictionally upon the arbor C out of the path of travel of arm Of course, as will be apparent from further description herein, the spring h may be entirely dispensed with by making a circuitvconnection with the clock-frame, arbor, or

shaft C', or by other means.

On the rear side of the door B, immediately back of each division d, is secured a bracket, t', upon the horizontal portion of which is mounted a vertical electro-magnet, D, the terminals of the coil of which are con- IOO nected by the washers e2 of the screws e to the linings e of the perforations ofthe particular divisions to which said electro-inagnet corresponds. The insulated end portion, "i2, of the magnet is provided with two horizont-al ears, i2, in which is pivotally hung a vertical armature, E, provided with a depending extension, j, carrying a weight or poise,

j', It will be noted that the pole D2 of the magnet-core is extended horizontally to act upon the vertical face of the adjacent armature. The latter further carries a horizontal arm, 7a, which extends above the pole of the magnet d and ends in a vertical terminal, 7c', having a threaded perforation in which is seated an adjustable contact-screw, 752. It may be well to here state that the feature' of having the weighted sprin g portion j depending from the armature results in great advantage, especially over previous constructions, where the end of the extension is threaded to receive an adjustable nut or weight. In the latter case, above noted, the vibrations of the armature ultimately result in disturbing the adjusted position of the nut or weight alluded to and cause the armature to vary from the required position. By our improved construction of weighted extension it is only necessary to determine the vertical position desired for the armature, and then bend the extension so that its weight will normally hold the armature in its proper position, the permanent attachment of the weight preventing any change of parts.

The polar end of each magnet-core is provided on one side with a screw, Z, to which is attached a wire, l', leading to and connected with one of a series of metallic pins, Z2, which pass through the door B adjacent to its vertical free edge, as shown in Fig. 2. The end wall, a of the case is also provided with a series of pins, a2, the front ends of which are exposed, while to the rear end of each is connected a line wire, m, that leads to one of the rooms and forms part of the alarm-circuit M, that includes the alarm-bell M. The other wire, m2, forming the return of the circuit M, passes from the bell M to a battery, M2. Metallic strips N are secured horizontally adjacent to the magnets and their armatures, as

shown in Fig. 2, and the ends of said strips` N are alternately connected by vertical metallic sections N', thereby forming a continuous metallic conductor, which is finally connected to the battery M2 by wire 1mi.

The operation of the improvement will be best comprehended from the following description: It will be necessary to employ, in connection with the devices heretofore described, a series of circuit-couplings, O, each comprising a wire having a suitable insulating covering, and provided at each end with a split metallic pin, o, adapted for insertion in one of the metallic-lined openings. These said circuit-couplings O will ordinarily be hung at some convenient pointwhere they will. be within easy reach.

By reference to Fig. l the parts are so representedthat it will be easy to trace the adjustments and the establishment of the eircuits necessary to insure the sounding of the alarm in room No. S when the period of ten oclock arrives. The end of one of the circuitcouplings Ois inserted in one otl the openings registering with ten oclock, and the other end is inserted in the upper opening of the division for room No. S. Asecond circuit-coupler is then brought into requisition and has one end inserted in the lower opening of division No. S, while its remaining end is inserted in one of a number of metal-lined perforations, y), which are similar to the other perforations, but are arranged in horizontal series in the lower portion of the door B. A horizontal metallic-lined strip, Q, secured to the rear of the door below the perforationsp, is connected with the lining of each opening by an individual wire, n. Up to this pointit will be seen that an incomplete circuit leads from the metallic plate g, corresponding with the hour of ten ocloek, thence along its wire g to the lining of the perforation corresponding to ten oclock, through the coupler to the lining of the upper perforation in division No. 8, from such lining through the coils of the magnet for such division back to the lining of the lower perforation, and then through the second coupler to the strip Q, then through the coil of amagnet, R, arranged and having an armature similar to the magnets previously described, and then the circuit leads to the battery R. The balance of this incomplete circuit is presented by a wire, P, which passes direct to the screw h of the arm 71,. Then the hour-hand of the clock reaches the point on the dial indicating ten oclock, the arm f will have also reached a position wherein the roller will contact with the plate corresponding with such hour, and the partial circuit previously traced will be completed, and the electro-magnet of No. 8 division become energized and attract its armature to cause the screw k2 to contact with the adjacent portion of the metal strip N and complete the following circuit: From the battery M2, along' metal strips N, through the armature E, over pole D2, through the wire l to the pins N and contacts, thence along wire m to bell M of room No. S, and from the latter by wire m2 back to battery M2. Then the magnetR becomes energized consequent upon the closing of the circuit through the clock, the armature of said magnet makes contact with aplate, q, and establishes a cireuitin which is included an office alarm-bell, S, the hammer of which is operated upon the well-known make-andbreak principle. The other wire of the circuit leads from thc alarm-bell to its battery S', and from the latter by wire r to the pole of the magnet. The ringing of this alarmbell S not only serves as an alarm to the clerk or attendant, but indicates to him that the device is positively operating.

ln cases where push-buttons are to be used IOO IIO

in the roomsin connection with a regular annunciator7 and in conjunction'wit our improvements, it will only be necessary to connect the wire m of each room to one of the wires t of the annunciator-circuit of that room, the latter circuit being closed through the push-button T at one side of the alarmbell, and passing back to the annunciator through the wire tt. Of course the alarm-circuit is secured by a wire-connection, t2, between the wire t and the bell. This arrangement enables our improvements to be readily adapted for use with annunciators and with but a minimum amount of wires or circuits for the same. ln the arrangement referred to the circuits will be as follows The wire on. of the annunciator connects with the wire t, thence passes through the bell, from the latter through wire t2 to line-wire t', dac. The annunciator-call will lead from the' push-button T by wire to bell, from bell to local battery Tl by wire t, and finally from battery by wire t4 to push-button.

By reference to Fig. 4t it will be seen that on that portion of the door occupied by the divisions dis a series of projecting pins, Qc, each of which is threaded to receive a thumbscrew, a5. A narrow metal plate, m2, is centrally pivoted upon each pin x, so that it can be turned to bring its end portions into contact with two of the tubes connected to the coils of the electro-magnet. After the plates x2 are adjusted into contact they can be secured against accidental movement by the thumb-screws sc. This arrangement enables a number or all of the electro-magnets to be connected up into a single circuit, as represented by the dotted lines in said Fig. et. A Wire, X, is then led from the wire P ofthe battery R and terminates in electrical connection with a metal tube, m3, located centrally at the lower portion of the door within convenient reach of the attendant. A coup# ling-cord, O, is then adjusted to connect` the tube c with the conductor Q, and one end of an extended coupling-cord, O2, is inserted in the tube e of the tubes and magnets electrically connected. Now by inserting` the other end of the coupler O2 in the tube :U3 a circuit including the battery is made through all of the magnets E, connected together and independent of the clock, and thus all the alarms controlled by said magnets can be sounded by hand.

The arrangement of plates x2 forms an important part of our invention as an alarm in cases of tire, and has only been omitted from the iirst three figures for the sake of clearness.

The right-hand portion of the mechanism in Fig. l indicates the position occupied by the couplers when it is desired to notify .two or more rooms in a given time. Y

As the operation has been fully set forth, it will only be necessary to state that in the adjustment last mentioned alarms are to be sounded in rooms Nos. 3l and 38 when the period of 1.30 oclockarrives.

It will be obvious that the main mechanism can be so made as to present the ornamental appearance usually possessed by' annunciators, and thus increase its desirability as a hotel adjunct.

The general arrangement of parts connected with the main mechanism is such that in its entirety it is of comparatively narrow depth, and by having the parts located on the door they can be readily swung out with said door to a position convenient for inspection.

By reference to Fig. 4 it will be seen that the pins N in the door carry metallic buttons u, which, when the door is closed, contact with the exposed portions of the pins c2, before mentioned as being located in the' end wall of the case. This arrangement insures proper contact of the parts and continuation of the circuits, and yet permits the vital portions of the mechanism to be moved with the door, as previously explained.

l. The combination, in an automatic circuit-closing device, of a hinged door or frame conjointly provided with the following elements: a time-piece having a contact-arm located at the rear of said door and adapted for circuit-connection and rotating correspondent with an hour-hand, rear contact-plates, g,

portion c, having contacts connected with plates g, portion d, having alarm circuit-contacts, and coupling devices to connect the contacts of portions c d, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, in an automatic circuit-closing device, of a time-piece, two series of contacts respectively corresponding with divisions of time and alarms, an electro-magnet having a circuit-closing armature, alarmcircuit controlled by said armature, and a bell directly included therein, couplers to close the primary circuit through any desired magnet or magnets, an arm actuated by the time-piece and adapted for primary circuit-connections, and a series of plates connected to said time-contacts, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, in an automatic cir.

cuit-closing device, of a hinged door or frame, a time-piece carried thereby, contact-arm f, and plates g, portion c, having contacts connected with said plates, portion d, having contacts c, an electro-magnet for each pair of contacts e, an armature for each electro-magnet controlling the room circuit-connections, and coupling vdevices for connecting the contacts of portion c d, substantially as set forth.

y4.' The combination, in an automatic circuitclosing device, of a time-piece carried thereby, contact-arm f, and plates g, portion c, having contacts connected with said plates, portion el, having contacts c, electro-magnets connected to the latter and each having an armature, and alarm circuit-connections con IOO IIO

trolled by said armatures and including metallic strips N N', arranged as and for the purpose specified.

5. The combination7 with an electro-mag net, of a clamp or collar secured thereto and having ears, a vertical armature pivoted in said ears, a malleable-metal extension depending' from said armature below its pivotal Connection, and a Weight permanently secured to said extension, substantially as set forth.

6. The Combination, in an automatic eirouit-elosing1 device, of a time-piece, two series of Contacts respectively Corresponding` with divisions of time and alarms, an eleot1omag net having' a Circuit-Closing armature and adapted to control an alarm-circuit, couplers to close the primary circuit through any desired magnet or magnets, an arm actuated by the time-piece and adapted for primary oirouit-oonneotions, a series of plates connected to said time-contacts, and a shunt-Circuit and eiron itfolosing device in eluded therein to oo1n plete an alarm-circuit 'independent of the time-piece, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof We aflix oursignatures in the presence of two Witnesses.

CHARLES A. COX. JOSEPH F. COX.

Vitnesses:

L. R. MCCLEERY, WM. PAXToN. 

